[Yew Family Blog] Mother in Nursing Home

[Peter Yew]

On May 22 afternoon Chock Ten and Eng checked in mother to the Moonlight Care Centre in Simpang Empat, Sitiawan. It wasn't a decision mother agreed to wholeheartedly but reluctantly. As we all know, mother's mobility has become less and less over the past few years. She spent most of her time between her hall bed, the bathroom and the patio where she watches the traffic. But when she begin to feel lower back pain she could not get off her bed without assistance. The caregiver sometimes went out and left mother all alone. Last week when her pain became worse, Chock Ten brought her to the Manjung Specialists Clinic to see the consultant orthopedic surgeon who prescribed Lyrica and Acconix to ease her pain. It wasn't completely effective. So mother started wearing adult diaper to avoid soiling the bed since she cannot get up on her own to sit on the commode by her bed. With mother now needing more physical care we anticipate the caregiver to give excuses. True enough she put off helping mother to change diaper as her work. It became an unacceptable arrangement as mother would need at least 2 changes daily. So when the idea of staying in the nursing home was brought up again mother did not resist. Chock Ten and others had earlier made inquiries as well as visit the centre and consider it clean and well managed. The caregiver's service was terminated yesterday. She probably regretted being so tough. The house is locked with new padlocks. Outwardly mother appeared happy. She was reported to enjoy being bathed and scrubbed by an Indonesian maid at the centre as well as properly fed 3 meals a day. Her bed is by a window and is well ventilated. The beds are laid out as a dormitory so privacy is not good but mother has been used to sleeping in the hall at home so this is not a problem to her. Mother will not lack visitors and will pass her time quickly. There are many elderly ladies whom she can befriend. Chock Ten, Eng, Cheryl and other relatives will visit her. And surely her fellow church members will drop in to say Hi to her, even buy her some fruits. Perhaps the church van may fetch her to attend service. Most certainly giving it a go instead of resisting staying in the nursing home is mother's best decision this year. Meanwhile the house will be tidied up regularly so should mother wants to go home to stay a few days when her children return to Sitiawan it will surely be a happy homecoming for her.

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Posted By Peter Yew to Yew Family Blog at 5/23/2013 06:29:00 PM